Active Southern West Virginia (Active SWV) is working to create opportunities for safe, accessible physical activity in Mount Hope. Three projects are being pursued by the Active SWV Pedestrian, Bike, Trail Coordinator Andrew Davis through an AmeriCorps VISTA partnership with the National Coal Heritage Authority. These three projects are:
- Improving upon the already existing Safe Streets Route
- A one mile fitness trail
- Concept plan for development of the Mount Hope Rail Trail
Through a Try This WV mini-grant, funds have been awarded to assist in meeting standards for the City of Mount Hope to apply for a Bicycle Friendly Accreditation through the League of American Bicyclist. Morgantown being the only other city in West Virginia to receive this status.
The Bicycle Friendly Accreditation requires:
- Engineering: Creating safe and convenient places to ride and park
- Education: Giving people of all ages and abilities the skills and confidence to ride
- Encouragement: Creating a strong bike culture that welcomes and celebrates bicycling
- Enforcement: Ensuring safe roads for all users
- Evaluation & Planning: Planning for bicycling as a safe and viable transportation option
The Bicycle Friendly Community Accreditation requires improvements in five main areas relating to bicycles, or “The 5 E’s”. A focus on Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation & Planning help to improve the safety and availability of opportunities for people to use a bicycle as both a transportation alternative and a means of exercise.
Mount Hope was chosen by Active SWV to set an example for other southern West Virginia communities who once relied on the coal industry but now must look at revitalizing to attract new businesses and families. This work will be documented in a how-to guide explaining the steps taken to accomplish each goal to provide a tool for other communities to embrace.
This will include the relationship of partners and agencies such as: National Coal Heritage Authority, The City of Mount Hope, New River Gorge Regional Development Authority, New River Gorge National River, The Summit, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Green Rivers, and the West Virginia Department of Highways, all of which are contributing resources to assist Active SWV in moving forward.
“Mount Hope has evolved from being a flood devastated community to one with opportunity by leveraging surrounding resources. This is an example to both coal abandoned communities as well as a flood ravaged town.” Melanie Seiler, Executive Director of Active SWV.
If you would like to get involved or stay informed about Active SWV’s efforts in Mount Hope there are plenty of opportunities now and in the future.
You can follow Bike/Walk SWV on Facebook and Instagram at @bikewalkswv for highlights of our projects and information about regional trails, and you can sign up for the Active SWV newsletter for details on all of our current and upcoming events and projects.
Volunteer Trail work every Tuesday evening at 6 pm on the new Garden Grounds stacked loop trails, if you are interested in volunteering please contact Phil Waidner at [email protected].
Residents of Mount Hope are encouraged to join the Bike/Walk SWV Mount Hope Advisory Committee, and anyone interested in a riding tour of the projects should speak up.
[email protected] (304) 254-8488 [email protected]
